McPherson College falls to No. 5 OKWU

Wednesday

Feb 28, 2018 at 9:09 AM

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Junior Jackson Goodmiller hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to supply the offense for the McPherson College baseball team as the Bulldogs dropped the final game of a three-game Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference weekend series to No. 5 Oklahoma Wesleyan, 12-1, in a shortened seven-inning game Monday afternoon at Doenges Memorial Stadium.

The Eagles plated two runs in the bottom of the first on a two-run home run by Nick McGrew, then added five more off five hits in the bottom of the third to take a 7-0 lead. Juan De La Cruz and Rylee Peterson both had RBI doubles, while two runs scored on Colton Kelly's single to left.

Goodmiller got the Bulldogs on the board for the first time in the series with his solo blast to lead off the fourth inning. Lane Fleming followed by drawing a one-out walk but pinch-runner Isaac Taylor was stranded at first as a strikeout and a groundout ended the frame.

OKWU nearly added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases off one hit and a pair of walks, but could not push a run across. Three more runs did come across, however, in the bottom of the fourth as Kelly hit a solo home run to center and a pair of runs crossed on a Ryan Lujan-Leonard single.

McPherson missed a chance to cut into the Eagle lead in the sixth, stranding a pair of runners. Goodmiller drew a one-out walk, but was forced out at second on a Trent Smith (Wellsville, Kan., Wellsville HS) fielder's choice. Taylor followed with a single to left to put runners on first and second, but another fielder's choice ended the threat.

The hosts plated two additional runs in the sixth, then retired the Bulldogs in order in the seventh to close out the game.

McPherson was limited to two hits and two walks by three OKWU pitchers. Tyson Cronin picked up the win on the mound, scattering a hit and two walks while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings.

Bulldog starter Josh Lewis took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in three innings. Four McPherson pitchers combined for seven strikeouts, including three by Austin Roark.

McPherson returns to the diamond Wednesday evening, making the short trip across town to face Central Christian College. First pitch from Tiger Stadium (the former Light Capital Diamond) is slated for 5 p.m. After that, the Bulldogs host Southwestern College in a KCAC weekend series Saturday and Sunday at Bulldog Park. Saturday's doubleheader gets underway at noon, while Sunday's single nine-inning contest is slated for a 1 p.m.

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